FARA is leading the process of developing a framework for African agricultural productivity programs (FAAP) that could provide guidance to the much needed evolution of African agricultural research systems. A number of guiding principles have been derived from consultation with Africa's agricultural people and with their development partners. The FAAP indicates how such best practice can be employed to improve the performance of agricultural productivity in Africa. Beyond improving the performance of individual initiatives, the FAAP also highlights the need to replicate and expand such programs through increased levels of investment. It also stresses how increased funding must be made available through much less fragmented mechanisms as has been the case in the past. Harmonization amongst Africa's development partners therefore needs to be placed high on the agenda.

The FAAP process is moving in the right directions after several consultations with African stakeholders and most recently with development partners held in London in April 2006. The meeting provided insights from the investors to strengthen the FAAP initiative. The FAAP is being submitted to the African Union for endorsement by the African Heads of States in June 2006.